Czech Prime Minister rejects CBD ban, targets kratom regulation

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has rejected proposals to ban cannabidiol (CBD), clarifying that the government does not intend to prohibit the substance, which is used for medicinal purposes by many patients.

Instead, the government will focus its regulatory efforts on kratom. Babiš described kratom as a dangerous substance that threatens the health of children and has led to increasing cases of poisoning in pets. The government plans to implement stricter measures for kratom, including a ban on online sales and raising the minimum purchase age to 21.

The decision follows recommendations from an inter-ministerial anti-drug working group that had suggested a CBD ban due to concerns that the substance is being used to manufacture illegal synthetic drugs, such as HHC or delta-8 THC. While the government aims to ensure the safety of food supplements containing CBD and prevent its misuse in drug production, it maintains that CBD remains a vital component of medicinal cannabis extracts.